"Were we directed from Washington
when to plant and when to reap,
we would soon want bread."Thomas Jefferson, 1821

Room Set-Up, Lighting, A-V

Leadership Speakers
Room Set-Up, Lighting, AV Needs

Room Set-up
1. I speak standing out in the open. No head table. No podium.
a. If you have a large riser platform with a podium, I’ll use that and ignore the podium.
b. If you have a small riser platform with a podium, can the podium be removed or moved to a back corner for my talk? (Sometimes mike and computer wires to the podium are taped down, and the podium can’t be moved. In that case, I will need a separate riser.)
2. Riser
a. For all but the smallest audiences, a 12” to 18” high riser is necessary so your members can see me. 24” should be a maximum height, depending on the size of the audience.
b. Risers come in various sizes. A total size of at least 8’ x 12’ is best.
3. Help me speak not too close to or too far from the nearest audience members,
please! Eight to ten feet is a comfortable distance.
4. May I recommend a book to optimize seating? I don’t benefit from its sale, but your attendees will!
The book: “SEATING MATTERS, State of the Art Seating Arrangements.”
Here’s the descriptive copy:“Add zip to your meetings — optimize the learning environment and increase capacity! Improve line of sight, comfort, safety, dynamics, and networking. You will learn 5 seating principles and 17 factors that will help you troubleshoot any meeting room. Learn quick design tips, AV, traffic flow, noise, and lighting. Accommodate surprise last minute registrations and ADA requirements. Learn why rounds are not necessarily the best choice for your meeting.”
Learn more or order the book at www.Thrival.com. Click on “Books.”
5. I’d like a small table at a rear corner of the riser with a pitcher of tap water and a glass. A bussing table is fine.
6. Mr. Jefferson offers a small commemorative item for sale after his presentation. Capt. Clark has a book. Per our agreement, (link), please place a small table in the rear of the room near the exit or immediately outside.

Lighting
1. Lighting for the audience can be high, low or in-between, depending on your needs.
2. Lighting on me should be plentiful, shining from somewhere in front of me, rather than strictly from above, which puts me in my own shadow.
3. Unless the room or audience size dictates it, I’d prefer not to have a spotlight
on me. Spotlights make it nearly impossible to see most audience faces.

AV
I’m low maintenance! A cordless lavaliere mike and (preferably!) an attendant to monitor sound quality is all I need.
No computer. No projector. No screen. No sweat!